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Aulus Vitellius was declared emperor by his troops in 69 A.D. After defeating the forces of Otho, he took control of Rome, but then spent more time at the banquet table then in governance. General Vespasian was then declared emperor in Alexandria, and the legions stationed along the Danube frontier marched against Vitellius. His forces were defeated, the emperor slain and his body dragged through the streets of Rome and dumped in the Tiber.

This type with this obverselegend arrangement is apparently unpublished. The normal obverselegend arrangement is A VITELLLIVS IMP upward on left and GERMANICVS downward on right. Another variation has this legend break but the obverselegend ends with GERMAN. The arrangement on this coin does not leave enough room for either the final S or the globe at the point of the bust and they appear to be merged. This variation is likely an engraving error for one or the other normal types.RS72989. Silver denarius, RIC I 6 (R) var. (obv. leg. break), RSC II 26a, BMCRE I 85 var. (same), BnF III 8 var. (GERMAN), Hunter I 53 var. (same), SRCV I 2190 var. (same), VF, toned, porous, a few marks, insignificant flan cracks, weight 3.325 g, maximum diameter 17.7 mm, die axis 180o, Tarraco mint, c. Jan - Jul 69 A.D.; obverse A VITELLIVS - IMP GERMANICVS, laureate head left, small globe at point of bust; reverse CONSENSVS EXERCITVVM, Mars advancing left, nude but for crested helmet and cloak tied in belt at waist and flying behind, spear in right, aquila with vexillum in left; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, an unpublished variant of a raretype, this is the only example known to Forum; $1080.00 (€961.20)

In July 69, Vitellius learned that the armies of the eastern provinces had proclaimed their commander, Vespasian, as emperor. Vitellius, aware that he would be defeated, negotiated terms of resignation, but the praetorians refused to allow him to carry out the agreement, and forced him to return to the palace. When Vespasian's troops entered Rome he was dragged out of a lodge where he was hiding, taken to the fatal Gemonian stairs, and executed. His body was thrown into the Tiber according to Suetonius; Cassius Dio's account is that Vitellius was beheaded and his head paraded around Rome, and his wife attended to his burial. "Yet I was once your emperor," were his last words. His brother and son were also killed.SH72950. Silver denarius, RIC I 107 (S), RSC II 72, BMCRE I 34, BnF III 71, Hunter I 17, SRCV I 2200, gVF/VF, superb bold portrait, nice toning, a few minor marks, weight 3.055 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, Jul - 20 Dec 69 A.D.; obverse A VITELLIVSGERMIMP AVG TR P, laureate head right; reversePONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right on throne with back, veiled, draped, patera in right hand, long scepter in left hand vertical on left (far) side; from the Jyrki Muona Collection, ex Baldwin & Sons (2009); scarce; $720.00 (€640.80)

In July 69, Vitellius learned that the armies of the eastern provinces had proclaimed their commander, Vespasian, as emperor. Vitellius, aware that he would be defeated, negotiated terms of resignation, but the praetorians refused to allow him to carry out the agreement, and forced him to return to the palace. When Vespasian's troops entered Rome he was dragged out of a lodge where he was hiding, taken to the fatal Gemonian stairs, and executed. His body was thrown into the Tiber according to Suetonius; Cassius Dio's account is that Vitellius was beheaded and his head paraded around Rome, and his wife attended to his burial. "Yet I was once your emperor," were his last words. His brother and son were also killed.SH76127. Silver denarius, RIC I 107 (S), RSC II 72, BMCRE I 34, BnF III 71, Hunter I 17, SRCV I 2200, VF, excellent portrait, toned, tight flan, light marks and scratches, weight 3.292 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, Jul - 20 Dec 69 A.D.; obverse A VITELLIVSGERMIMP AVG TR P, laureate head right; reversePONT MAXIM, Vesta seated right on throne with back, veiled, draped, patera in right hand, long scepter in left hand vertical on left (far) side; scarce; $720.00 (€640.80)